Youth football attracts more than 200 young athletes

NFL, college and high school football coaches aren't the only ones working constantly to make sure their teams are in top form for the season.

Headed by president Bubba Battistoni, those associated with the Spring Branch Youth Football Association are also going full speed. While the first day of workouts don't begin until August, they're making sure everything runs smoothly when the season does get under way — and also preparing fundraisers to improve the stadium at Jumbo Evans Park.

“It's a year-round thing,” said Andy Dudzikowski, vice-president for events and sponsorship director. “We have about 15-20 volunteers always doing something. We try to make it a big community event.”

SBYFA accomplished huge results last year.

While competing in the Mid-Tex Youth Football League, all of the SBYA teams (two freshmen, three JV and one varsity) advanced to the playoffs. Four reached the Super Bowl. The two freshman teams played for the title. The JV team won the crown, while varsity squad was runner-up.

All the SBYFA teams are known as the Rangers and wear the same colors (blue, red, white) as Smithson Valley High School. They compete against teams from Bulverde, Canyon Lake, Austin Lake Travis, Boerne, Dripping Springs, Helotes, Marble Falls, Wimberley and Burnet, which joined this season.

The association begins with flag football for players for 5- and 6-year-olds. Next-year players get involved in tackling in the freshman division (ages 7-8). Next comes JV (9-10) and varsity (11-12).

“We try to make sure flag football is treated the same as the varsity,” said Dudzikowski, who played one football season for the Army before playing rugby the next three seasons. “This is their first experience with football. If they don't have a good experience they can become soured to the sport.

“We have great support from sponsors and we've had support from the middle school coaches. This year, Larry Hill (Smithson Valley head football coach) is supposed to come out to speak to our kids,” he added. “We offer scholarships for children unable to afford the fees to play. We want kids involved.”

It all seems to be working.

This season the SBYFA plans to have two teams at the freshman, JV and varsity levels. The group also has cheer teams.

In addition to the positive results on the field, those who excel in the classroom are recognized during the year with academic patches during a special ceremony.

Although the season is where the fun times occur, the work begins long before the first kickoff with a busy offseason of preparation.

The SBYFA recently had evaluations. Players were fitted for uniforms and took part in such activities as the 40-yard dash to give the coaches a chance to view the participants.

Coaches draft players for their teams Tuesday.

Also planned for the summer is Ranger Camp.

The SBYFA version might not be as intense as the strength and conditioning camp middle school and high school athletes go through during the summer, but those with the association believe it's another positive step for allowing their participants get in exercise work and have fun.

“We usually have 150-200 kids,” Dudzikowski said. “It's not just for football players. It is open to everybody. We try to get the kids off the couch and exercise. We have fun games and go through five or six different stations. They enjoy themselves so much they don't realize they are working.”

Dudzikowski also expects the fundraisers to draw interest.

First up is the gala scheduled for Oct. 4.

In addition to dinner and auction, the group is bringing in a nationally recognized traveling dueling piano bar as the entertainment.

Scheduled for January is the annual smoke-off where teams come to compete for top honors for their barbecue meets.

“Last year, we had more than 300 people and raised nearly $15,000 for our stadium,” Dudzikowski said. “This year, we're aiming for the gala to be a community event. It's going to be a big deal and we would like to get more people involved.

“The smoke-off is always popular. Last year we had more than 5,000 over a two-day period. It was all by word of mouth.”

Upgrading the stadium, home for Spring Branch and Bulverde teams, is the big dream.

“That's where all our fundraising goes,” Dudzikowski said. “We want to add bleachers and put in lights. We would someday like to host the Super Bowl. That's the goal.”

NFL, college and high school football coaches aren't the only ones working constantly to make sure their teams are in top form for the season.

Headed by president Bubba Battistoni, those associated with the Spring Branch Youth Football Association are also going full speed. While the first day of workouts don't begin until August, they're making sure everything runs smoothly when the season does get under way — and also preparing fundraisers to improve the stadium at Jumbo Evans Park.

“It's a year-round thing,” said Andy Dudzikowski, vice-president for events and sponsorship director. “We have about 15-20 volunteers always doing something. We try to make it a big community event.”

SBYFA accomplished huge results last year.

While competing in the Mid-Tex Youth Football League, all of the SBYA teams (two freshmen, three JV and one varsity) advanced to the playoffs. Four reached the Super Bowl. The two freshman teams played for the title. The JV team won the crown, while varsity squad was runner-up.

All the SBYFA teams are known as the Rangers and wear the same colors (blue, red, white) as Smithson Valley High School. They compete against teams from Bulverde, Canyon Lake, Austin Lake Travis, Boerne, Dripping Springs, Helotes, Marble Falls, Wimberley and Burnet, which joined this season.

The association begins with flag football for players for 5- and 6-year-olds. Next-year players get involved in tackling in the freshman division (ages 7-8). Next comes JV (9-10) and varsity (11-12).

“We try to make sure flag football is treated the same as the varsity,” said Dudzikowski, who played one football season for the Army before playing rugby the next three seasons. “This is their first experience with football. If they don't have a good experience they can become soured to the sport.

“We have great support from sponsors and we've had support from the middle school coaches. This year, Larry Hill (Smithson Valley head football coach) is supposed to come out to speak to our kids,” he added. “We offer scholarships for children unable to afford the fees to play. We want kids involved.”

It all seems to be working.

This season the SBYFA plans to have two teams at the freshman, JV and varsity levels. The group also has cheer teams.

In addition to the positive results on the field, those who excel in the classroom are recognized during the year with academic patches during a special ceremony.

Although the season is where the fun times occur, the work begins long before the first kickoff with a busy offseason of preparation.

The SBYFA recently had evaluations. Players were fitted for uniforms and took part in such activities as the 40-yard dash to give the coaches a chance to view the participants.

Coaches draft players for their teams Tuesday.

Also planned for the summer is Ranger Camp.

The SBYFA version might not be as intense as the strength and conditioning camp middle school and high school athletes go through during the summer, but those with the association believe it's another positive step for allowing their participants get in exercise work and have fun.

“We usually have 150-200 kids,” Dudzikowski said. “It's not just for football players. It is open to everybody. We try to get the kids off the couch and exercise. We have fun games and go through five or six different stations. They enjoy themselves so much they don't realize they are working.”

Dudzikowski also expects the fundraisers to draw interest.

First up is the gala scheduled for Oct. 4.

In addition to dinner and auction, the group is bringing in a nationally recognized traveling dueling piano bar as the entertainment.

Scheduled for January is the annual smoke-off where teams come to compete for top honors for their barbecue meets.

“Last year, we had more than 300 people and raised nearly $15,000 for our stadium,” Dudzikowski said. “This year, we're aiming for the gala to be a community event. It's going to be a big deal and we would like to get more people involved.

“The smoke-off is always popular. Last year we had more than 5,000 over a two-day period. It was all by word of mouth.”

Upgrading the stadium, home for Spring Branch and Bulverde teams, is the big dream.

“That's where all our fundraising goes,” Dudzikowski said. “We want to add bleachers and put in lights. We would someday like to host the Super Bowl. That's the goal.”